Armoured glass

ABSTRACT

A compound protective glass in which a sacrificial plate unit facing the direction of expected projectile impact is placed in front of a main functional armoured glass plate unit. A space between the two units is maintained by spacers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of protective and ballistic proof appliances. More specifically, the invention is a novel protective glass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective glass is used in such cases wherein a barrier is required to shield against physical threats, yet such barrier must have a transparent quality to afford a view. Several types and makes of protective glass are known in the art. The armoured glass pane may consist of a single armoured layer or a combination of several glass layers interleaved by plastic layer such as bullet proof layers. The construction of a glass pane is described in more detail in US is Patent Application 2004/0209053A1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view in an armoured glass plate of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an armoured compound glass of the invention showing laminate structure and spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is a compound armoured glass structure. The compound armoured glass in accordance with the present invention is a structure consisting of a main functional armoured glass plate unit (MFGU) and a sacrificial plate unit. The sacrificial unit is configured substantially in parallel with the MFGU, and it may be single layer or laminate. To better explain the structure of an embodiment of the invention reference is made now to FIG. 1. A cross sectional view in an armoured glass plate of an embodiment of the invention has MFGU 14, composed of three layers i.e. layers 18, 20 and 22. Layer 20 is typically a plastic resin sheet, and layers 18 and 22 are made of armored glass. Sacrificial plate unit (SPU) 26 is typically composed of two layers: layers 28, a thin plastic layer, and 30 a glass layer. Space 32 is positioned between MFGU and 14 and SPU 26. In FIG. 2 the is structure is described in an isometric view. MFGU 38 is separated from SPU 40 by space 42. Spacer 44 keeps the two units separated by a specific distance.

Function of the Compound Armoured Glass of the Invention

The main functional armoured glass plate unit (MFGU) is an impact resistant functional unit resisting projectiles such as bullets or hurricane winds. The MFGU is any unit plate used for such missions, laminated or consisting of one subunit. A laminated unit consists of two or more glass panes interleaved with plastic sheets. The plastic sheets, such as polycarbonate sheets, are glued to the glass slabs. The sacrificial plate unit (SPU) is a barrier positioned in the direction of the expected projectile impact such as on the outside of window panes. Typically, the SPU is made of a cheaper material than the MFGU. The SPU is either a single layered or a multilayered (laminate) structure. Typically it is a single glass layer coated on the inside with a plastic layer. In any embodiment, the SPU is installed facing the expected direction of impact. 

1. A compound protective glass comprising:
 1. a main functional armoured glass plate unit (MFGU);
 2. a sacrificial plate unit (SPU) facing the direction of expected projectile impact;
 3. a space between said MFGU and said SPU, and
 4. at least one spacer between said MFGU and said SPU.
 2. A compound armoured glass as in claim 1, wherein said main functional armoured glass plate unit (MFGU) is a single glass layer structure.
 3. A compound armoured glass as in claim 1, wherein said main functional armoured glass plate unit (MFGU) is a laminate structure.
 4. A compound armoured glass as in claim 1, wherein said SPU is a single layer structure.
 5. A compound armoured glass as in claim 1, wherein said SPU is a laminate structure.
 6. A compound armoured glass as in claim 1, wherein at least one spacer separates said SPU from said MFGU. 